ABOLISH THE SECRECY IN THE FAMILY COURTS AND REMOVE THE GAGGING ORDERS

The sad fact is that social workers snatch babies at birth for "risk of emotional abuse" from hundreds of UK mothers who have not committed any crime! Worse still, those mothers are forbidden to go to the media to protest and threatened with jail if they do! All subsequent court proceedings leading to "forced adoption" are secret with jail for anybody rash enough to tell the public who appeared, what they said, or what was decided and why, in our so called "family courts"!

We, the undersigned are petitioning for the secrecy of the family courts to be opened and campaigning for the ‘Gagging Orders’ to be removed from parents who have had their children illegally removed by the state and social services. Gagging orders are all too often placed on parents by a secret family court system to prevent them from talking about their story. This must be lifted immediately.
Return our children who have been stolen under false pretenses. The damage done to them is a serious violation of the UN Convention of the Rights of the Child and cannot be undone.

1. We request all children who were taken because of ‘emotional harm’. The separation from their natural parents and relatives by far exceeds any emotional harm claimed by Social Services.

2. We request all children who were taken because of the ‘risk of future emotional harm’. This figment of legal imagination is used in secret family courts, but cannot stand up before a jury of people with common sense. 

3. We request the return of all children who were taken at birth and thus denied their right for breast feeding. A precedent judgement by the current President of the Family Courts keeps being ignored. 4. We request the return of all foreign national children. 30 embassies have expressed concerns about UK Law:

SCOTUK - One Voice for the Kids

please sign please share petition

 https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/abolish-the-secrecy-in-the-family-courts-and-remove-the-gagging-orders?source=twitter-share-button via @38_degrees

Vermont Legislature Takes On Wrongful Conviction Reform

Four years after Vermont passed legislation to allow post-conviction DNA testing, state legislators are now considering two bills — SB 184 and SB 297 — to improve eyewitness identification procedures and to prevent false confessions. The bills received a two-day hearing in the Vermont Senate Judiciary Committee earlier this month.

Mistaken eyewitness identifications contributed to nearly 75 percent of the 312 wrongful convictions in the United States that were overturned by post-conviction DNA evidence. SB 184 would implement “blind” lineup procedures, a best practice in which the officer who administers the lineup is unaware of the identity of the suspect in order to prevent the administrator from inadvertently or intentionally influencing the eyewitness.

SB 297 would require the electronic recording of interrogations for violent crimes in order to protect against false confessions. In approximately 25 percent of the wrongful convictions overturned through DNA evidence, defendants made false confessions or admissions to law enforcement officials. The electronic recording of interrogations, from the reading of Miranda rights onward, is the single best reform available to stem the tide of false confessions by creating a record of the interrogation.

Read more.

Wrongfully Convicted to Receive Increased Compensation in New Jersey

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie signed into law a bill that will increase the amount of compensation that wrongfully convicted people can receive from the state for each year they were wrongfully imprisoned. Under the new law, exonerated individuals in New Jersey will be eligible to receive $50,000 for each year they were wrongly imprisoned. Previously, exonerees received either a max of $20,000 or twice that of their annual pre-conviction income for each year served.

New Jersey is one of 29 states, and the District of Columbia, that provides compensation to residents who have been wrongfully convicted. Prior to this bill being signed into law, the state’s compensation levels were last updated 16 years ago.

Read more.

Texas to Review Hair Analysis Cases

In the wake of a partnership between the Innocence Project, the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, the FBI and the Department of Justice to review microscopic hair analysis cases, the Texas Forensic Science Commission (TFSC) voted unanimously earlier this month to review state criminal convictions that included testimony on microscopic hair analysis. Texas’ planned review will make it the first state in the nation to conduct a review of cases involving this type of evidence.

Four of Texas’ twenty labs that conduct hair analysis have already submitted lists of cases where a "positive association" was made between a defendant and crime scene evidence. According to TFSC general counsel Lynn Robitaille, a database review of appeal court decisions has identified 85 cases for potential review. The Innocence Project of Texas partnered with the TFSC to identify cases that were currently waiting to be reviewed or were already processed.

Read more.

@ATOS_DEMO_UK ~ 19 February 2014 - please ‪#‎share‬ widely -144 national events planned

@ATOS_DEMO_UK ~ 19 February 2014 - please ‪#‎share‬ widely -144 national events planned https://t.co/q5zc3QlC0D 

More details on events planned in your area can be found by clicking here: https://t.co/q5zc3QlC0D and the website: http://ukrebellion.com/atosdemo/ will provide upto date information.
https://www.facebook.com/Respect.Unemployed

Former death row inmate Timothy McKinney arrested

I am sad to announce that Timothy McKinney, 39 years old was arrested in Tennessee. Tim is someone that suffered greatly at the hands of the Tennessee criminal justice system. He was convicted of killing a Memphis police officer Don Williams in 1997 on Christmas day and spent until 2013 on flawed charges on death row. McKinney trial ended in two mistrials before he was able to win his freedom through a plea agreement. Some people that are innocent are forced to accept plea agreements in order to win their release.

In November, 2013 in the State of Texas I spent three amazing days with McKinney as we spoke of the change in society and how some street gangs were totally disrespectful toward older people. Its easy to judge and to point fingers, especially at someone that is viewed as a ex-offender, however when placed in a situation of survivor in these streets it is at total odds with what someone must do to survive. 

I spent 28 years inside an Illinois State prison, McKinney 15 years. Society have changed so much that it took me time to adjust to the disrespect by those in it. Being released less then eight months I witness kids pointing a toy gun at police. I informed the kids to please put up the toy gun and to not point it at police. Well the kids did not listen and one was seen pointing this toy gun toward a police car that was parked in a McDonald's parking lot. Police responded shooting one of the kids dead.

Parents do not listen until something bad occur to their children. I am confident that Tim did what he did to protect himself and not out being someone raining terror on the community. Many of you ignore this, but want to call me and plead with me to examine cases in which your love one's are incarcerated. As I stand with my brother TIM, I can care less who like me or who hate me. I am here to provide direction not conflict. If you like your love's locked up inside a prison based off of what you are unwilling to do...then the system loves it.

Tim is a amazing brother and I request your prayers for him, write him, send him books and please lets change how we show appreciation and love toward each other.

http://www.nodeathpenalty.org/new_abolitionist/october-2013-issue-59/tim-comes-home

http://www.wmctv.com/story/24589408/timothy-mckinney-accused-cop-killer-arrested-after-market-shooting

Tim McKinney
#10137763
Shelby County Jail
201 Poplar Ave
Memphis, TN 38103

Tim McKinney

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000508928975

The Bloods - Are They Bastards of The Party?

 Bastards of the Party is a Documentary that details how the street organization 'The Bloods' got started. An excellent documentary if you want to know the facts from those that were involve personally.

Central Park Five

De Blasio promise to settle the Central Park Five lawsuit, so why wait any longer. Come out to support the CP5 and together we could send a message to De Blasio, "Settle Now".

Jose LaSalle

Save the date! Boston: Sun 2/23 Fundraiser for Political Prisoners Manning and Laaman

picture from google

***Please forward widely***

Save the Date!

Fundraiser for Political Prisoners Tom Manning and Jaan Laaman
Sunday February 23rd at 3:30 PM
Community Church of Boston
Lothrop Auditorium
565 Boylston St.
Boston, MA 02116

(Close to the Copley Square T stop on the Green Line or
the Back Bay T stop on the Orange Line)

Join us for an evening of political discussion, art, and music to honor
two political prisoners, Tom Manning and Jaan Laaman.

Featuring
Kazi Toure, former political prisoner
Ray Luc Levasseur, former political prisoner

Musicians Evan Greer and Myriam Ortiz

and more!

Stay tuned for ticket information!

-- 
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Free All Political Prisoners!
 www.jerichony.org

EMPOWERMENT MONDAYS

Campaign For Truth And Justice In Association With Free Spirit Foundation would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused by our protest during:

EMPOWERMENT MONDAYS

A conspiracy of silence aids and abet corruption and ongoing perversion of justice committed by the Judiciary, the State, the Met Police and Mainstream Media within England and Wales.

The Launch of EMPOWERMENT MONDAYS came about by duress of circumstances AS A LAST RESORT, TO REBELLION AGAINST TYRANNY AND OPPRESSION to EXPOSE the TRUTH and ENSURE JUSTICE IS DONE.

Help us put an end to this Empire of Corruption..... It could be YOU next time!!!!!!

JOIN THE CAMPAIGN FOR TRUTH AND JUSTICE

#CTJ #CampainTruthAndJustice #EmpowermentMondays

For more info contact: www.ctj.org.uk (m:07757387308)

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Empowerment-Mondays-Until-Further-Notice/156664264378725

Twitter: @Empowerment2014

Hundreds of people die every year in local jails throughout the U.S.

The latest available numbers indicate that 885 inmates died in the custody of local jails in 2011, according to the Bureau of Justice statistics. One inmate who's fallen victim to that fate is 37 year-old Kyam Livingston, a woman who entered a Brooklyn jail cell on a non-violent offense. And though she would only have to be there temporarily, while waiting to be arraigned by a judge, Livingston would never get the chance to leave. RT's Ameera David reports.

Natural Life

https://www.aclu.org/smartandfair

As a mother, she never expected that she would not be able to watch her son grow old and raise a family of his own. Eisibe's son Rufus was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole after police found a baggie with residue of crack cocaine. Because of a mandatory sentencing law, he will never come home.

Rufus isn't the only one. Hundreds of thousands of families have been torn apart by state and federal mandatory sentencing laws, which give judges no choice but to impose a sentence that is often far too severe for the offense.

Extreme sentencing laws have pushed the number of people in American jails and prisons over 2.3 million— with more than half imprisoned for nonviolent crimes. These unnecessarily long sentences have led to bloated, overcrowded prisons and wasted billions of taxpayer dollars that could be better invested in our communities.

The ACLU's Campaign to Move Beyond Mass Incarceration is working to find soltuions. Right now, we have a unique opportunity to rein in mass incarceration for people in the federal system. Congress members on both sides of the aisle have joined together in support of the Smarter Sentencing Act — a bill that could rollback some extreme federal mandatory minimum sentences. 

Recently, Attorney General Eric Holder came out strongly urging Congress to pass this bill to help end excessive punishments for low-level drug crimes. With unanimous support from the U.S. Sentencing Commission and strong bipartisan support, this bill can move forward quickly. But we have to tell our Congress members to act.

If thousands of us put pressure on our Congress members, we can reduce draconian sentencing laws that tear apart families. Take action now: ask Congress to rollback federal mandatory minimum sentencing laws by passing the Smarter Sentencing Act.

Learn more about the ACLU's Smart Justice, Fair Justice campaign at https://www.aclu.org/smartandfair.--

A public address to the British Government given by (WE) the People. JAN...

One of the real anonymous channels posted this video days ago. Their account was soon closed by youtube, and arrests of 4 London civil servants in connection to this vid were made in the uk today. Since before lunchtime today there's been a complete media blackout. Police, papers and news channels are now suspiciously denying the detention or any knowledge of the individuals arrested. Work colleagues and family members claim 4 individuals were escorted from their offices by men identifying themselves as police officers. Enquiries to the London police and Scotland Yard has failed to discover the current location of the detainee's, all efforts to rally media help and coverage has been flatly refused.
Their video is now being shared far and wide by private links.
Something is happening!!!
Read below.

"To David Cameron and the serving unelected coalition Government,
We, being the Real Anonymous, We, as being the general public and People of the United Kingdom, acknowledge your declaration of social warfare and false austerity against all the citizens of this nation.
We acknowledge your only interest in political appointment, is self interest.
We acknowledge your contempt for the majorities common concerns, and security of our welfare assets.
We acknowledge that yours is not a Government that leads in the interest of the common good for all the people of this nation.
We acknowledge that your position in office is little more than a podium, for which you utilize to preach mass antipathy, and dictate an attitude of snobbery and hostility towards the people and families whom provide the main tax revenue artery of this Country.
We now acknowledge the time has arrived, for us the Public, to stand together and take all necessary ACTION to end your political tyranny against us.
We accept, as too must you, that you are no longer regarded as our civil leaders, nor our worldwide representatives.

A Supported Campaign of Civil Rebellion is Imminent .

Grand Jury Resister Jerry Koch Released From Prison

http://nycabc.wordpress.com/2014/01/29/grand-jury-resister-jerry-koch-is-free

On Tuesday, January 28th, anarchist grand jury resister Gerald “Jerry” Koch was released from the federal Metropolitan Correctional Center in Manhattan. Koch’s release comes over eight months after his imprisonment for refusing to testify before a grand jury convened under the auspices of investigating the so-called bicycle bomber case.

Judge John Keenan, the presiding judge over Jerry’s case, believes that taking the position of a government run amok, using grand juries as a witch hunt is, “a delusion of grandeur.” Judge Keenan goes on:

There is simply no evidence that the Government [sic], threatened by Koch’s subversive prowess, seeks to bring him before the grand jury on a pretext, either to gain access to the treasure trove that is his circle of friends or to send an ominous message to political dissidents.

In reality, the United States government was following a pattern of using grand juries as fishing expeditions in hopes of better understanding social and political networks of anarchists. This tactic has been recently seen in the Pacific Northwest and in California. Regardless, Jerry’s release does not come as a result of some hacky judge “seeing the light” and letting the barred door swing wide. It comes due to the diligence of his legal support in filing a strong Grumbles motion. Also from the judge’s decision:

Koch’s argument is straightforward. Because he continues to oppose the government in general and the grand jury process in particular, he urges that continued confinement will not induce him to testify. Indeed, he asserts that his tenure at the MCC has caused his views about government repression to congeal even further.

Imprisonment for civil contempt in order to coerce someone to testify is, according to the state, not supposed to be punitive. When it becomes punitive and loses any coercive power, the individual must be released (or so goes the argument). The content of the motion filed by Jerry’s legal support argues that the function of Jerry’s imprisonment—to coerce him to testify before the grand jury, was failing and in fact had become merely punitive. Based on the above quote, judge Keenan agreed. And this is the basis of the judge’s decision to release Jerry.

Judge Keenan’s decision also reveals the importance of outside support. Articles written about Jerry, letters written on his behalf, and even an online petition cumulatively added to the strength of the motion filed on his behalf. Strong solidarity from family and friends positively contributed to Jerry’s release.

In reading Judge Keenan’s decision, it is clear that the only joy he is able to squeeze out of his miserable life is in sophomoric barbs launched at Jerry and anarchists in general. And at the end of the day, none of the judge’s childish insults matter. What matters is that we have our comrade returned to us, unbroken.

Again in the words of Judge Keenan, Jerry “has chosen to remain in contempt– indeed he promises continued and endless contempt.” And for that, we applaud you, Jerry. Welcome home.

To read judge Keenan’s decision in its entirety, click here.

-- 
SIGN THE JERICHO COINTELPRO PETITION!

Free All Political Prisoners!
 www.jerichony.org

Jenny's DLA was stopped;

A letter a day to number 10. No 557.

Saturday 09 November 2013. Jenny's DLA was stopped; the reason given was that as she was not expected to survive the required time.

Shares are encouraged and welcomed. If this letter speaks for you and you wish to send your own copy please feel free to copy and paste the text for your own letter.

Website updated, letters and replies plus bonus material featuring Mr Suggs, Eeyore and Ribbit.

Also on the website, download the support compilation three album set from Atona. Not to be missed.

http://www.keithordinaryguy.org.uk/

Dear Mr Cameron,

Chester and Ellesmere Port Foodbank (Wednesday, 6 November 2013): 'Jenny shared her story with one of our volunteers, and requested that we share it with you (everyone). We are privileged to do so.'

Jenny

Jenny came to the Chester and Ellesmere Port Foodbank last month, having been diagnosed with terminal Cancer. Her prognosis was three to six months. She already suffered with several chronic illnesses preventing her from working over the last two years and was in receipt of Disability Living Allowance. Having no family she was trying to "put her house in order", ensuring all her bills were paid and saving up for her funeral. Her DLA was stopped; the reason given was that as she was not expected to survive the required time, she did not qualify for this benefit!

She came to the Foodbank not for herself but to bring a neighbour who had mental health issues and short term memory problems. He had been 30 minutes late for his appointment at the Benefit office (he had forgotten the time!) and had therefore been sanctioned. He had not eaten for three days. They were both given a meal and the time to talk of their problems and referred to the appropriate agencies for food vouchers and further support and help. Several weeks later Jenny came to the Foodbank to thank everyone for the help and food that was given and the kindness and support that was shown in their time of need. Jenny died three weeks later.

Where did Jenny fit in your striver/scrounger world, Mr Cameron? Evidently she did not fit at all, she was abandoned to die in poverty as a direct result of your government policies and in particular the welfare policies of Iain Duncan Smith.

I have not worn a poppy for many years now because I cannot bear the hypocrisy of those who wear it religiously at this time of year and gather at the Cenotaph to display their hypocrisy and yet smile as they kill the poor, the sick and disabled and our children, today.

http://chesterellesmereportfoodbank.blogspot.co.uk/

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/nov/08/poppy-last-time-remembrance-harry-leslie-smith
— in Peasedown Saint John.

JURY FINDS ‘JAILHOUSE SNITCH’ JAY SCHLENKERMAN, INFORMANT VS. AIYANA JONES’ DAD, GUILTY OF 3 MORE FELONIES; SENTENCING FEB. 6

Posted on 01/27/2014 by Diane Bukowski

Jay Schlenkerman, now convicted of ten felonies, testifies against Charles Jones in 2012 preliminary exam, as Judge E. Lynise Bryant-Weekes listens. Photo: Diane Bukowski

Schlenkerman remanded to jail pending sentencing

Opening statements in Jones/Owens trial Tues. Jan. 28, 2014; prosecution still plans to use Schlenkerman as witness

Re-trial of cop Joseph Weekley, who shot Aiyana to death, canceled

By Diane Bukowski 

January 27, 2013 

Charles Jones with only daughter Aiyana, 7 when she was killed by Detroit police in 2010.

DETROIT – As the trial of Charles Jones and Chauncey Owens in the 2010 killing of Je’Rean Blake proceeds this week, VOD has learned that a jury found a chief informant against them, Jay Schlenkerman, guilty of three more felony counts on Jan. 17, adding to a long list of previous convictions. Wayne County Circuit Court Judge Michael Callahan revoked Schlenkerman’s bond and remanded him to the Wayne County Jail pending sentencing Feb. 6.

Schlenkerman was charged with “Operating while intoxicated,” “Police Officer—fleeing—Third Degree;” and “Operating-License Suspended, Revoked, Denied” related to an incident April 16 that involved a vehicular collision, according to the statute cited and court records. He initially pled guilty, but then withdrew the plea and was released on tether in September pending his trial.

“My son’s attorney Leon Weiss told us that the prosecution still plans to bring Schlenkerman to testify against Charles,” Aiyana’s grandmother Mertilla Jones said. She told VOD earlier, “How does he keep getting away with beating on women and fleeing from the police, when if he was Black, they would have whipped his a- – and locked him up?”

Detroit cop Joseph Weekley, on A & E website for “Detroit SWAT.”

Charles Jones is the father of Aiyana Jones, who was seven when an army of Detroit “Special Response Team” police spilled out of an assault vehicle and stormed her home on May 16, 2010. Officer Joseph Weekley shot the child in the head with a submachine gun, killing her as she lay sleeping on a couch in the front room with her grandmother.

Weekley was tried last year in June on charges of involuntary manslaughter and reckless use of a firearm, but the jury deadlocked. A jury trial was set for Dec. 4, 2013, but it was canceled and another in a series of pre-trial hearings is set for Feb. 7, 2014. Weekley has been free on bond since he was first charged, while Jones and Owens have been locked up without bond since their arrests in 2010 and 2011.

The judge in his case, Cynthia Gray Hathaway, said repeatedly during hearings that she, the prosecution, and the defense all agreed that the Owens/Jones trial should take place first.

Weiss called Schlenkerman a “jail-house snitch” during Jones’ preliminary exam in the Blake killing, which took place in a crowd of at least 40 people outside an east-side liquor store two days before police stormed the Jones home, a lower flat in a poor east-side Detroit neighborhood, looking for Owens, who lived in the upstairs flat.

Schlenkerman and Owens were incarcerated at the Wayne County Jail Dickerson facility in 2011, Schlenkerman for a brutal three-day-long “domestic violence” assault which resulted in permanent, severe physical and mental injuries to the victim.

It was one of numerous assaults involving other women as well, but all were reduced to misdemeanors. The victim in the 2011 assault has said she believes that the reduction of charges in her case, which originally included kidnapping, was related to Schlenkerman’s agreement to testify against Jones. She said she is hoping for a lengthy prison sentence for Schlenkerman, so that she can finally feel safe in public again.

At Jones’ preliminary exam, Schlenkerman falsely testified that he had been convicted of only one felony despite his actual record of six felonies involving drunk driving and fleeing and eluding charges, and a two-year stint in the Michigan Department of Corrections.  He then claimed that Owens told him in great detail that Jones had given him the gun to kill Blake.

Owens and Jones are being tried this week on first-degree murder charges in the Blake case, by separate juries, in front of Wayne County Circuit Court Judge Richard Skutt.

The trial began Jan. 21, with jury selection that day and the next. Opening statements, set for Jan. 27, were delayed for one day due to the illness of Wayne County Prosecutor Robert Moran. VOD will be reporting on their trial in upcoming stories. Owens has refused to testify, as Schlenkerman claimed, that Jones gave him the gun used to kill Blake. Owens’ attorney David Cripps said in published remarks that his client is not the man who killed Blake.

Charles Jones’ family during Oct. 21, 2013 protest against police state in Detroit.

- See more at: http://voiceofdetroit.net/2014/01/27/jury-finds-jailhouse-snitch-jay-schlenkerman-informant-vs-aiyana-jones-dad-guilty-of-3-more-felonies-sentencing-feb-6/#sthash.9pImLO9e.dpuf

Support Russell Maroon Shoats - Update

picture from google

Keep Going Hard to Bring Maroon HOME!

January 28, 2014

Very dearest friends and supporters of Russell Maroon Shoatz,

YOU DID IT!

Your calls, letters and faxes have forced the administration at the State Correctional Institution (SCI) Graterford to move Maroon out of a feces-infested underground dungeon into a new cell, give him back all his personal property, and issue him a warm blanket. Maroon wishes he could personally thank each and every one of you who went hard these past few weeks, but until that day comes he hopes this letter conveys his deep gratitude for your unwavering support.

This latest transfer to a new cell, effective since last Monday, January 20^th, proves that the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections (PA DOC) is able and willing to carry out necessary changes to an inmate's situation as they see fit. Now is the time to exert even more pressure to bring an end to the torture of 24-hour isolation, and push the administration to do what has already been promised – immediately move Maroon into general population!

Furthermore, the lawsuit against PA DOC Secretary John Wetzel gained momentum this week when United States District Magistrate for the Western District of Pennsylvania, Cynthia Reed Eddy, issued a decision denying the DOC’s motion to dismiss in the case of Shoatz v. Wetzel. The January 27th ruling allows Maroon’s legal team to move forward with the challenge to his more than 22 consecutive years in solitary confinement, which they say is a violation of his Eight Amendment constitutional rights as it constitutes cruel and unusual punishment.                                                                                   

With Maroon's successful completion of a 60-day "step-down" program at the State Correctional Institution (SCI) Frackville, glowing reports from his Program Review Committee, and 5 Nobel Peace Laureates calling for his release, it is now up to Wetzel to sign off on the last piece of paperwork holding Maroon back from contact visits with his family.

In struggle and solidarity,

The Campaign to Free Russell Maroon Shoatz

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

1. CALL, FAX & SEND SEPARATE LETTERS TO SCI GRATERFORD SUPERINTENDENT MICHAEL WENEROWICZ AND SCI GRATERFORD RHU J BLOCK MANAGER MR. TERRA AT (610) 489-4151, 

SEND SEPARATE LETTERS TO SCI GRATERFORD SUPERINTENDENT MICHAEL WENEROWICZ AND RHU J BLOCK MANAGER MR. TERRA AT P.O. BOX 246, GRATERFORD, PA 19426-0246              FAX: (484) 961-7907

LET THEM KNOW THAT:

•    We are concerned members of the community who are monitoring the situations involving inmate Russell Shoatz and the conditions he is being held under,

•    We are expecting that SCI Graterford will be accepting the information regarding Shoatz’ successful completion of the step-down program at SCI Frackville, and their recommendation that he be released from Restricted Housing into General Population,

•    We hold PA DOC Secretary John Wetzel and PA DOC administrators responsible for failing to fulfill their promises to release Russell Shoatz into General Population,

•    We request that you immediately remove Russell Shoatz out of the J Block cell for the criminally insane because he doesn’t belong nor deserve to be there, the conditions are torturous, and he is not under Disciplinary Custody, AND

•    We also request that SCI Graterford transfer Russell Shoatz into General Population as promised by Secretary Wetzel and PA DOC authorities. 

2. CALL PA DOC SUPERINTENDENT JOHN WETZEL AT (717) 728-4109 & SEND LETTERS OF CONCERN WITH RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED TO 1920 TECHNOLOGY PARKWAY, MECHANICSBURG, PA 17050, TO LET HIM KNOW THAT:

•    We are frustrated and angry at the continued delays, and unfulfilled promises, regarding inmate Russell Maroon Shoatz.

•    His consistent good faith efforts to abide by all State Correctional procedures for transfer to general population have successfully earned him the support of prison official and administrators.

•    In light of recent US Department of Justice findings that Pennsylvania State Prisons have used solitary confinement in direct violation of inmates’ constitutional rights, and United Nations guidelines regarding the illegality of using restrictive housing for punitive, long-term purposes, we write with concern that Shoatz’ continued placement in restricted housing constitutes an act of torture: cruel and unusual punishment.

•    As voters and community members, we demand Shoatz’ immediate release into general population, and will continue to closely monitor this situation until Shoatz’ conditions are safe and legal.

3. SEND LETTERS, POSTCARDS, & SHORT, SIMPLE MESSAGES OF SUPPORT & LOVE TO: RUSSELL MAROON SHOATS, # AF-3855, P.O. BOX 244, GRATERFORD, PA 19426-0246. 

Holiday Appeal

The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound  - Isaiah 61:1

Russell Maroon Shoatz, a senior citizen (age 70) and grandfather who has been held for thirty-plus years in solitary confinement in Pennsylvania’s prisons, has been promised three times in three separate Correctional Facilities over the past six months that his release into general population is imminent. Yet day after day, Maroon endures 23-hour lock-down in a small cell, under conditions clearly considered torture by United Nations Special Rapporteur Juan E. Mendez.

There is no reason for further delay.

We, religious and community leaders, join in the Call to immediately release Russell Maroon Shoatz into the general prison population. The time is now; the time has long since passed.

Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Nobel Peace Laureate 1984

President Jose Ramos-Horta, Nobel Peace Laureate 1996

Sr. Adolfo Perez Esquivel, Nobel Peace Laureate 1980

Ms. Mairead Corrigan Maguire, Nobel Peace Laureate 1976

Ms. Jody Williams, Nobel Peace Laureate 1997

This Call is being distributed by Rev. Lucus Johnson of the National Fellowship of Reconciliation, and Rev. Christopher Ney, originally of Allentown, PA.

Imam Al-Hajj Talib 'Abdur-Rashid, The Mosque of Islamic Brotherhood, President of the Majlis Ash-Shura (Islamic Leadership Council) of Metropolitan New York, Vice President, Muslim Alliance in North America; Safiya Bandele, former Director, Center for Women's Development, Medgar Evers College, CUNY; Rev. David Billings, Trainer, People's Institute for Survival and Beyond, LA; Rev. Graeme Brown, Former President of the Federal Theological Seminary of Southern Africa; Sarita Covington, Co-Founder, Company Cypher;  Bonnie Cushing, Trainer, People's Institute for Survival and Beyond; Rev. Dr. Herbert Daughtry of House of the Lord Church (New York), founder of the African People’s Christian Organization and founding chair of the National Black United Front; Margery Freeman, Trainer, People's Institute for Survival and Beyond; Sister Sheba Haven (CA); Rev. Nozomi Ikuta, co-chair, Inter-faith Prisoners of Conscience Project; United Church of Christ, Cleveland OH; former director of Liberation Ministries, United Church of Christ; Rev. Daniel Jantos, Minister of the Unitarian Universalist Church, Woodstock VT; Rev. Dr. Clyde Kuemmerle, Ecclesia Ministries of New York; Matt Meyer, War Resisters International; International Peace Research Association; Stacia Murphy, former President, National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence; Gamal Palmer, Co-Founder, Company Cypher; Dustin Washington, Director, Community Justice Program, American Friends Service Committee and Core Trainer, People's Institute for Survival and Beyond; Linda Arinna Weisman, Buddhist minister and author (CA)

[List in formation; organizations listed for identification purposes only]

If not directly in contact with Rev. Johnson or Rev. Ney, additional signatures may be sent to (or more information may be received from) Matt Meyer, War Resisters International, 339 Lafayette Street, New York, NY 10012; MMMSRNB@IGC.ORG

--
Freedom Archives

 www.freedomarchives.org

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Free All Political Prisoners!
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The pain of injustice for a Indiana grandmother

Nothing can be more hurtful and psychologically traumatizing then for a mother or grandmother to find themselves dealing with the battles associated with wrongful conviction. The battle is normally a long depressing fight where that many hours are spent each day begging people to get involved with standing against injustice. There are thousands locked behind the walls of U.S. prisons that are innocent people, however those families and friends that are faced with wrongful conviction have yet to learn how to mobilize and work in unity. It has been the approach of families and friends of those that have been wrongful convicted to ONLY focus on there own plight not realizing that systematic injustice is no accident, its created by over zealous prosecutors, abusive cops, judges that ignore the law and a entire system that ignore compelling evidence to benefit the accused. In Chicago we have witness the Jon Burge torture scandal, in Mississippi the affects of a pathologist Dr. Steven Hayne that lied to aid prosecutors, the Rampart Scandal in California, and other systematic scandals that have led to men and women being incarcerated inside U.S. prisons despite being innocent.

Sorry!, these are not fights in which individuals can win absent groups of people that are demanding justice. A individual fight amounts to additional injustice. While we slept police and prosecutors were working to ensure that what you are attempting to expose remains hid or ignored. While you ate lunch or dinner some one else was victimized by the criminal justice system. The fight must be to hold elected officials accountable to implement safeguards that can best protect the accused. This has been a slow fight of accomplishments mainly because those in the U.S. have not learned to fight as a group and to "SPOTLIGHT" cases that are in best position to open the doors for many. Yes! its hard to be standing on a battle field screaming justice for someone else while your love one also sits behind a prison wall, but until the abolitionist movements for justice set aside its conflicts and disagreements these injustices will only rack up more tears and heart breaks for many across this country. It literally makes no common sense that we cannot mobilize groups to Mississippi, Indiana, Texas, Florida...and to many different States to shut down the normal daily operations of government in those States in the name of justice. We have been ineffective in mobilization because we must target cases to mobilize around and target elected officials to act by introducing legislation for men and women that sit behind prison walls that are innocent and who rightfully should be heard. Government answer toward injustice has not been to hold elected officials and the criminal justice system responsible, however to dish out millions of tax payer dollars in court settlement to individuals that have spent decades behind prison walls, providing NO psychological treatment for the men and women when they have been released...only your tax dollars.

Cheryle-Abul Husn the grandmother of Martin Anthony Villalon Jr., a boy arrested in connection with a drive by shooting in Indiana and receives a 60 year sentence as the result of ineffective assistance of legal counsel. The grandmother is heart-broken at the possibility that her grandson who was sent to prison as a youth offender may never get out of prison alive. The grandmother is 100 percent convinced that Martin did not commit this crime. However because of procedural arguments it has dim his spotlight on his innocence. She has spent all of her income to attempt to get her grandson out of prison and is shocked at the possibility that now her grandson will now have to legally represent himself and he knows nothing whatsoever of the law. 

Kids all across America are placed in this position and when it occur, they are legally held accountable to know the rules of the court in which many do not know. They are held responsible to know how to file legal briefs in which many no nothing about. These are kids in which many never completed high school and cannot complete their education because inside prison they are not provided with educational programs. In most cases many are provided outdated legal materials and told to draft documents they have never even heard of. The petitions amount to a "Letter" pleading to a group of judge's that are called "Justices". In that letter that is construed as a petition in most cases the youth can only say...I am innocent without citing legal arguments. Nine out of ten times the letters are denied by the group of justices because the kid knew not how to include sound legal arguments before the court. Lawyers all across this country clearly have witness this and clearly know this exist, but remain to NOT call for reforms in this area of the law. 14 and 15 year old kids convicted of crimes and held legally responsible by their 19th or 20th birthday to file a sound document before the Supreme court if they are not fortunate to have their convictions overturn at the Appellate court level. Kids that have grew up behind prison walls are told to file constitutional sound petitions for "Post-Conviction Relief" at age 21 or 22 when provided outdated legal materials by prison officials that often contribute in citing outdated law and statutory guidelines to give the petition jurisdiction to be heard before a certain court.

In U.S. prisons it is against rules of prison officials for other inmates to assist with the filing of legal documents. The term that was once used "Jail house lawyer" cannot be used today in a effective term because inmates are placed in segregation all across this country for helping someone that needed their assistance with the filing of a legal document to ensure that "inmate" does not miss deadlines before a certain court. We must fight for changes and fight for them now. Kids should not be held accountable for knowing the law that they have never been taught.

Martin, sits inside the Wabash Correctional Center in Indiana while the grandmother is faced with this realitythat her grandson could die behind the walls of a prison. She is reaching out to Lawyers, law students, or any one that can aid her grandson to continue his fight for justice. Lawyers or law students will you consider helping or will you ignore? It is hurtful to me that this grandmother is hurting and seems to not have any one that is willing to reach out to her to help her grandson. As I once set inside a Illinois prison for 28 years while innocent I often wondered what morally sounded people can honestly sleep at night knowing that a innocent kid sits inside a prison. If it was not for my mother Virginia Clements continued efforts to help me, I would still be in prison. Her price for my release was stress and cancer. She died 2 and ahalf years ago. People, especially lawyers and law students please just don't read this posting, help this family to receive justice.

I can be contacted at 847-276-1382 or by e-mail: mark@nodeathpenalty.org. I will connect you with the family of Martin if you are willing to help.